Advances in Google Maps: Trekker, 3D and Offline

"Lost, we are.Go left, I said.Go right, you did.Listen well, you do not."

"Lost, we are.Go left, I said.Go right, you did.Listen well, you do not."

At a press conference yesterday Google revealed their Trekker, a backpack-based camera array that the operator straps onto their back like freaking Yoda. It enables Google to capture Street View where there are no streets. Ditching cars for a more Lewis-&-Clark mode of travel, G-Mappers can now open up entirely new vistas while burning a few extra calories.

"Wheels only get you so far," explained Brian McClendon, Google Maps' Vice President of Engineering. "There's a whole wilderness out there that is only accessible by foot. Trekker solves that problem by enabling us to photograph beautiful places such as the Grand Canyon so anyone can explore them."

A second thing they announced is that they've been renting fleets of airplanes. Why? To capture data for their forthcoming 3D addition to Google Maps, which combines aerial photography and software to create an insanely lifelike mapping experience. Teaser vid below:

A third, and pretty awesome, feature they announced is the ability (for Android users) to download Google Maps for offline use. If you're taking a jaunt overseas and don't want to pay for international roaming, you can download maps of your destination city, store them on your phone, and access the maps while leaving your phone's connection off. Pretty freaking sweet.

"Lost AGAIN, we are.Go RIGHT, I said...."

"Lost AGAIN, we are.Go RIGHT, I said...."

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